Computer Core provides skills training leading to a good job
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| Students in a Computer Core class. |
For people out of work or struggling to make ends meet with
a low-paying, menial job, basic computer skills can lead to a more secure future.
That’s the premise of Computer Core, a non-profit organization that provides
job skills training to lower-income residents of Northern Virginia.
a low-paying, menial job, basic computer skills can lead to a more secure future.
That’s the premise of Computer Core, a non-profit organization that provides
job skills training to lower-income residents of Northern Virginia.
Computer Core offers classes in typing and the Microsoft
Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, to people who are unemployed
or stuck in dead-end jobs.
Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, to people who are unemployed
or stuck in dead-end jobs.
At a recent visit to the program’s main office, at
Fairlington Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Executive Director Lynn
O’Connell described a couple of Computer Core success stories:
Fairlington Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Executive Director Lynn
O’Connell described a couple of Computer Core success stories:
Natalie, a Fairfax County native, had gotten married and had
a child shortly after graduating from high school. When her husband died in a
traffic accident, she had a hard time supporting her family with a low-paying
job in retail. After learning how to use a computer, she was offered a job in a
bank, and after a few promotions, was able to buy a house.
a child shortly after graduating from high school. When her husband died in a
traffic accident, she had a hard time supporting her family with a low-paying
job in retail. After learning how to use a computer, she was offered a job in a
bank, and after a few promotions, was able to buy a house.
Another former student, a single-mother from East Africa
named Tegist, had good English skills but no formal education beyond the sixth
grade. Thanks to the skills she learned at Computer Core, she was able to trade
her low-paying job in a bakery for a better opportunity with Navy Federal
Credit Union.
In addition to the Fairlington location, Computer Core
offers classes at the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church, Providence
Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, and United Methodist Church in Herndon. In
January, Computer Core will add a fifth location—the Gum Springs Community
Center in Alexandria.
offers classes at the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church, Providence
Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, and United Methodist Church in Herndon. In
January, Computer Core will add a fifth location—the Gum Springs Community
Center in Alexandria.
The program serves about 192 serves at any one time (214
when the new site opens), and there are about 12 students in each class with
about six volunteer instructors, O’Connell says.
when the new site opens), and there are about 12 students in each class with
about six volunteer instructors, O’Connell says.
Classes are three hours, twice a week, for six months. Most
are at night, but each site offers a
couple of classes in the daytime. Students who complete the course earn
seven college credits.
are at night, but each site offers a
couple of classes in the daytime. Students who complete the course earn
seven college credits.
While some Computer Core students are dropouts, others have bachelor’s
degrees, or even PhDs, but still need basic computer skills. Eighty percent of
the students are immigrants, and in some cases, people find the advanced
degrees they earned abroad don’t carry much weight in the United States.
degrees, or even PhDs, but still need basic computer skills. Eighty percent of
the students are immigrants, and in some cases, people find the advanced
degrees they earned abroad don’t carry much weight in the United States.
“The majority of students do work, sometimes two jobs, but
sadly they’re still below the poverty line,” O’Connell says. The average income
of Computer Core students is $12,000 to $15,000 a year, and 92 percent have
children under age 18.
sadly they’re still below the poverty line,” O’Connell says. The average income
of Computer Core students is $12,000 to $15,000 a year, and 92 percent have
children under age 18.
O’Connell said the goal is for people who complete the
course to secure a job paying at least $25,000 to $30,000 within six months.
Many Computer Core graduates are hired by defense contractors, banks, credit
unions, or hotels. About 45 percent of
graduates continue their education, usually at Northern Virginia Community College.
course to secure a job paying at least $25,000 to $30,000 within six months.
Many Computer Core graduates are hired by defense contractors, banks, credit
unions, or hotels. About 45 percent of
graduates continue their education, usually at Northern Virginia Community College.
The class is $200, but SkillSource will pick up the tab for
eligible Fairfax County residents. Students can get a computer for $30, refurbished by Computer Core
volunteers, to practice with at home.
eligible Fairfax County residents. Students can get a computer for $30, refurbished by Computer Core
volunteers, to practice with at home.
Computer Core offers a free monthly session at its main
center on navigating the job search process, including networking, interviewing,
and resume drafting. The organization also provides job skills enhancement
workshops for $25 in four career tracks: retail and sales, non-profit
organizations, banking and finance, and how to start a business.
center on navigating the job search process, including networking, interviewing,
and resume drafting. The organization also provides job skills enhancement
workshops for $25 in four career tracks: retail and sales, non-profit
organizations, banking and finance, and how to start a business.
About 169 volunteers work at Computer Core each month. Some
come in once or twice a month to help students practice job interviews, while
others are there 10 hours a week teaching classes or maintaining the computers.
If you would like to volunteer, contact Lynn O’Connell.
come in once or twice a month to help students practice job interviews, while
others are there 10 hours a week teaching classes or maintaining the computers.
If you would like to volunteer, contact Lynn O’Connell.
Computer Core is hosting a free Career Connections Workshop Sept.
6, 6-7 p.m. at Fairlington Presbyterian Church, 3846 King St., Alexandria. Bring
copies of your resume and any job leads to share. Park in the back and enter
through the back door.
